Solenoid actuated device



7; 1969 c. A. SANDOVAL 3,42 25 SOLENOID ACTUATED DEVICE Filed March 9, 1967 POWER 3 SUPPLY f/ Wl/l/l/l/AV/l/lfq'l/l/l/A 38 40" l4 22 32 F l g. 3

INVENTOR.

Charles A.Son dov ol United States Patent 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A solenoid actuated device having a core or armature member transversely disposed between the pole pieces of a magnetizable member and rotatable with respect thereto, said armature member initially locked in a position laterally disposed from the axis of the pole pieces to form a reluctance air gap therewith by longitudinally movable portions of said armature member forming a second reluctance air gap and means for energizing the solenoid to unlock the device and pull the armature member between the pole pieces.

Background of invention There are many applications in the electrical and mechanical arts for a solenoid actuated device which provides both an unlocking and mechanical function. For example, where an electrical switch is subjected to shocks and vibrations, it is important that the switch not be accidentally or prematurely actuated by these forces. Further, where a locking mechanism is provided, the locking mechanism itself should be safe from being actuated by the same shock and vibration forces.

Solenoid actuated devices having locking mechanisms requiring complex timing or pulsing circuits or apparatuses to energize the unlocking mechanism and thus release the device, in addition to the circuits required to energize the solenoid for the mechanical function itself, are undesirable as such devices are generally expensive and unreliable.

Summary of invention It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a solenoid actuated device having both an unlocking and mechanical function.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a solenoid actuated device having both an unlocking and mechanical function which is safe from premature or accidental unlocking.

It is'a further object of this invention to provide a solenoid actuated device having both an unlocking and mechanical function where both functions are performed by the same energizing signal.

Various other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, and the most novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

This invention comprises a solenoid actuated device having a magnetizable member with a pair of pole pieces, a movable actuating arm disposed intermediate said magnetizable member, armature means attached to said actuating arm and disposed transversely to said pole pieces and laterally to the axis of said pole pieces, said armature means including a movable portion spring biased to lock sai-d armature and said actuating arm in position, coil means for generating magnetic flux through said armature means and said magnetizable member, and means for connecting said coil means to a source of electric current.

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Description of drawings The present invention is described in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solenoid actuated device constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the solenoid actuated device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view taken along line 3-3 of the solenoid actuated device shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary partially cutaway view of a solenoid forming another embodiment of this invention.

Detailed description Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGS. l-3, solenoid actuator 10 comprises a magnetizable member 12 and a preferably nonmagnetizable actuating or actuable arm or lever 14 (shown in its locked position) rotatable supported by pin or rod 16 on member 12. Member 12 includes a pair of pole pieces 18 and 20 connected by a generally U-shaped member 22 thus forming a complete magnetic circuit from pole piece 18 to a pole piece 20. A suitable spring supporting member such as T-shaped member 24 is shown attached by conventional means such as a weld across the open end of cross member 22. A suitable spring 25 is shown connected between member 24 and arm 14 so as to counterbalance arm 14 around pin 16 and normally urge arm 14 to its locked position. A pair of preferably nonmagnetizable engaging means or lock catch members 26 and 28 are shown attached by conventional means such as a weld to the bottom edge of pole pieces 18 and 20, respectively.

As shown, actuating arm 14 includes an extended portion 30 rotatably opposed to a solenoid carrier, frame or housing portion 32, around pin 16. As noted above, spring 25 is attached to arm 14 along portion 30 to offset and balance frame 32 and return arm 14 to its locked position. Extended portion 30 may be a lever arm to actuate an adjacent mechanism so as to perform some mechanical function or it may carry an electrical contact or terminal (not shown) to make or break an electrical connection.

Frame 32 is shown housing a solenoid which is disposed transversely to pole pieces 18 and 20. The solenoid comprises a magnetic coil 34 wound on a hollow spindle or bobbin 36, a pair of coil end caps 38 and 40 and an armature. Coil end caps 38 and 40 are separated from pole pieces 18 and 20 by working air gaps 39 and 41, respectively, when actuating arm 14 is in its locked position. The armature includes a pair of longitudinally movable core, plunger or armature portions 42 and 44. Core or plungers 42 and 44 are movably disposed within bobbin or chamber 36 with facing inner complementary concave and convex conical portions 46 and 48 which may be biased apart by yieldable means or spring 50 to form an air gap 52 therebetween. The armature may be constructed with a fixed plunger 58 and a single movable plunger 60 which may be biased by spring 62 to engage a single catch 64 at one end of the armature as shown in FIG. 4. Plunger pair 42 and 44, in FIGS. l-3, provide relative insensitivity to vibrations or shocks which may tend to unlock the plungers and release actuating arm 14 prematurely. The outward extending ends of plungers 42 and 44 are interlocked with recessed portions or catches 54 and 56 in lock members 26 and 28, respectively. Coil 34 is connected through electrical leads 59 (see FIG. 1) and switch 61 to a power source 63.

As shown, member 12, including pole pieces 18 and 20 and cross member 22, coil end caps 38 and 40 and plungers 42 and 44 may be made of an easily magnetizable material which preferably does not maintain its magnetism after the magnetizing current is removed, such as soft iron or magnetizable steels. Actuating arm 14,

3 supporting member 24, lock members 26 and 28 and coil bobbin 36 may be made of a nonmagnetizable material such as aluminum, copper or stainless steel.

In the embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings, actuating arm 14 is shown in a normal locked or initial position operably intermediate pole pieces 18 and 20 with switch 61 open and magnetic coil 34 de-energized. Armature plungers 42 and 44 are engaged with catches 54 and 56 and positioned transversely to pole pieces 18 and 20 and laterally to the magnetic axis of the pole pieces. In operation, when switch 61 is closed and magnetic coil 34 energized, the magnetic flux builds up to a comparatively low value in air gap 52 and working air gaps 39 and 41. The flux in working air gaps 39 and 41 preferably is not sufiicient to move end caps 38 and 40 and actuating arm 14 up into the actuated position intermediate pole pieces 18 and 20 against the opposing force of spring 25 with the flux drop across air gap 52. The flux in air gap 52, however, is sufiicient to withdraw plungers 42 and 44 from catches 54 and 56 and thus unlock actuating arm 14. With plungers 42 and 44 in their actuating position, i.e., with conical portions 46 and 48 generally mating, the magnetic flux in working air gaps 39 and 41 builds up to a higher value which is suflicient to pull or rotate clockwise end caps 38 and 40, and consequently actuating arm 14, into its actuated position intermediate poles 18 and 20 (as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2) to actuate an adjacent mechanism.

When switch 61 is opened, the magnetic flux collapses allowing spring 25 to return actuating arm 14 counterclockwise to its original position. Spring 50 then pushes plungers 42 and 44 into their locked position in catches 54 and 56.

Solenoid actuator may be modified to provide a lateral actuating mechanical function rather than the illustrated rotary mechanical function by mounting actuating arm 14 in a key way or guide rather than around pivot pin 16. The actuating arm would be positioned so that the solenoid was in the same relative position with pole pieces 18 and 20 biased against a suitable return spring.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of the parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A solenoid actuated device for actuating an adjacent mechanism comprising the combination of a magnetizable member having a pair of spaced apart pole pieces, a solenoid intermediate said pole pieces, solenoid core means having a portion projecting beyond the solenoid but movable toward the solenoid upon electrical energization of the solenoid, engaging means carried by the magnetizable member for engaging with the core means to maintain the solenoid and core means in an initial position openably intermediate said pole pieces, carrier means movably supporting said solenoid for movement between said initial position and a second position intermediate said pole pieces upon said electrical energization of the solenoid and disengaging of the solenoid core means and engaging means having an actuating portion adapted to actuate said adjacent mechanism, and yieldable means normally urging said carrier means and actuating portion toward said initial position.

2. A solenoid actuated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier means is rotatably supported by the magnetizable means and said actuating portion comprises an arm projecting beyond the magnetizable member.

3. A solenoid core means comprises a pair of plunger members and yieldable means normally urging the plunger members and yieldable means normally urging the plunger members apart from each other.

4. A solenoid actuated device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said solenoid core means is disposed transversely to said pole pieces and laterally to the magnetic axis be tween said pole pieces in its initial position operably intermediate the pole pieces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,515,259 7/1950 OBrien et a1 335-253 3,158,796 11/1964 Musgrave 335-253 XR 3,307,131 2/1967 Hook et al 335-254 XR GEORGE HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 335-254 Patent No. g hgl lg j Dated January 7, 1969 lnventOr(5) Charles 0. Sandoval It is certified that error appears in the above-ide and that said Letters P ntified patent atent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 3 should read as follows:

3. A solenoid actuated device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said solenoid core means comprises a pair of plunger members and yieldable means normally urging the plunger members apart from each other.

SIGNED AND SEALED MAR 3 I970 (SEA!) Amen Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. W

mm B. 80m, JR- Attestmg Officer Oonmissioner of Patents 

